Roosters disregard the sun, scream at mountains that long ago emptied their bosoms to milk the earth. Now and then the owl joins in, whispers something sorrowful and sweet, but nothing can calm those who know mountains are held together with more than just stone.

II

A hummingbird flashes onto wild lavender. Its iridescent green a mermaid scale that blends into nothing.

About the Author

Kimberly Dawn Stuart’s work has recently appeared or is forthcoming in Rust + Moth, Louisiana Literature and Deep South Magazine. She lives in New Orleans with her husband, the writer Marley Stuart, where they direct the small press River Glass Books.